years before it was printed, but subsequently to the composition of
"Lusty Juventus," which is, he says, "mentioned in it." But it appears
to me that the allusion to "Lusty Juventus" [p. 263], is merely a
generic proverbial title, and has no reference whatever to the old play
so called. Mr Collier ("Hist. Dram. Poet." ii., 330), has given a brief
analysis of the interlude now reprinted.
_December_ 21, 1849.
FOOTNOTES:
[314] [To the former edition. Printed for the Percy Society, 1849.]
[315] These have all been adopted in the present reprint. The
_variations_ exhibited in the Percy Society's text should be rather
called mistakes of the transcriber, and two whole lines were omitted.
[316] The Museum copy has a woodcut on the back of the title-page,
which is wanting in the other copy, a circumstance which appears to
confirm this opinion.
THE TRIAL OF TREASURE.
_Do all things to edify the Congregation._
Diogenes, which used a barrel for his house,
Being fled from his father to the city of Athens,
Comforted himself much in beholding the mouse,
Which desired neither castle nor hold for her defence;
Concerning sustentation she made no difference,
But ate whatsoever to her did befall,
And, touching her apparel, she had least care of all;
This poor mouse's property noted Diogenes,
Which oftentimes also he would have in sight,
And though he were disciple unto Antisthenes,
Yet he learned of the mouse as much as he might;
In the science of 'sophy he had great delight,
But concerning his state and outward condition,
The most can declare, if you make inquisition.
On a time he chanced accompanied to be
With Alexander, which stood between him and the sun:
What requirest thou to have, Diogenes (quod he)?
Is there any thing that by me may be done?
I pray thee stand aside, and make a little room
(Quod Diogenes), that the sun upon me may shine,
Nought else require I of that that is thine.
He used to say, that as servants be obedient
To their bodily masters, being in subjection,
Even so evil men, that are not content,
Are subjects and slaves to their lusts and affection;
This lesson unto us may be a direction
Which way our inclination to bridle and subdue,
Namely, if we labour the same to eschew.
Thus see you how little this philosopher esteemed
The abundant possessions of this mundane treasure,
Which yet, notwithstanding, at these days is deemed
To be the original and fountain of pleasure;
This causeth lust to reign without measure,
To the which men are subjects, Diogenes doth say,
Yet both lust and treasure in time weareth away.
A philosopher is he that wisdom doth love,
Which before Pythagoras wise men were named.
Now, Diogenes being wise, this doth approve
That some men of this age ought as fools to be blamed.
For where the one with treasure-lack his life framed,
The other travail, care, and labour with greediness
The same by all means to enjoy and possess.
As lust with the lusts converteth to dust,
And leaveth of force his pleasant prosperity,
So treasure in time is turned to rust,
As St James, in his epistle, showeth the verity;
Hereof we purpose to speak without temerity,
Therefore our matter is named the _Trial of Treasure_,
Which time doth expel with all mundane pleasure.
Both merry and short we purpose to be,
And therefore require your pardon and patience;
We trust in our matter nothing you shall see,
That to the godly may give any offence;
Though the style be barbarous, not fined with eloquence,
Yet our author desireth your gentle acceptation,
And we the players likewise with all humiliation.
* * * * *
_Enter_ LUST, _like a gallant, singing this song_.
_Heigho, care away, let the world pass,
For I am as lusty as ever I was;
In flowers I flourish as blossoms in May,
Heigho, care away; heigho, care away!_
LUST. What the devil ailed me to sing thus?
I cry you mercy, by my faith, for ent'ring:
Most like I have ridden on the flying Pegasus,
Or in Cock Lorel's barge I have been a vent'ring.
Sing? why, I would sing, if it were to do again,
With Orpheus and Amphion I went to school:
What! lads must be lively attending on the train
Of Lady Delectation, which is no small fool.
Hey rouse, fill all the pots in the house;
Tush, man, in good fellowship let us be merry.
Look up like a man, or it is not worth a louse;
Heigho, troly; hey, dery, dery,
Ha, pleasant Youth and lusty Juventus,
In faith, it is good to be merry this May:
For of man's living here there is no point endentus,[317]
Therefore a little mirth is worth much sorrow, some say.
_Enter_ JUST.
But remember ye not the wise man's sentence?
It is better in the house of mourning to be
Than in the house of laughter, where folly hath residence,
For lightness with wisdom cannot agree;
Though many have pleasure in foolish phantasy,
Ensuing[318] their inclination and lust,
Yet much better is the life of one that is just.
LUST. Sir, in this you seem against me to inveigh.
JUST. Nothing but reason, I think, I do say.
LUST. Marry, you shall have a nightcap for making the reason.
Friend, have you not a piece of stock-fish to sell?
I would you had a dish of buttered peason.
By my faith, your communication likes me well,
But, I beseech you, tell me, is not your name Just?
JUST. Yes, forsooth.
LUST. And my name, thou shalt understand, is Lust,
And according thereto I am lusty indeed;
But, I think, thou hast drunk of Morpheus seed.
Thou goest like a dromedary, dreamy and drowsy;
I hold twenty pound the knave is lousy!
JUST. Mine apparel is not like unto thine,
Disguised and jagged, of sundry fashion;
Howbeit, it is not gold always that doth shine,
But corrupting copper of small valuation;
Too horrible besides is thy operation,
Nothing more odious unto the just,
Than the beastly desires of inordinate lust.
LUST. It is a shameful thing, as Cicero doth say,
That a man his own acts should praise and commend;
Hypocrites accustom the like, day by day,
Checking other men, when they do offend.
JUST. Yea, but it is an hard thing, saith the philosopher,
For a foolish man to have his manners reprehended;
And even at this day it is come so far,
God grant, for his mercy, it may be amended!
For tell a man friendly now of his fault,
Being blasphemy, pride, or vile fornication,
He will be as presumptuous as Haman the halt,
And repay with revenge or else defamation:
Thus few men a friendly monition will bear,
But stoutly persist and maintain their ill;
And in noblemen's houses truly I do fear,
There are too many have such forward will.
LUST. Wounds and hearts,[319] who can abide this?
Nay, ye vile villain, I will dress you therefore;
Your lazy bones I pretend[320] so to bless,
That you shall have small lust to prate any more.
JUST. Behold the image of incipient fools!
There['re] not a few even now of thy property;
Until you be put into poverty's schools
Ye will not forsake this foolish insolency.
LUST. Nay, soft, with thee I have not made an end.
[_Draw out his sword._
JUST. The just against lust must always contend,
Therefore I propose to wrestle with thee [_put it up_],
Who shall have the victory, straightway we shall see.
LUST. When thou wilt; by his flesh, I shall hold the wag.
[_Wrestle, and let_ LUST _seem to have the better
at the first_.
JUST. I know that Lust useth not little to brag.
LUST. Thou shalt find me as mighty as Samson the strong.
JUST. Yea, the battle of lust endureth long.
LUST. Wounds and flesh! I was almost down on my back;
But yet I will wrestle, till my bones crack.
[_Stay, and then speak._
JUST. The end of thy presumption now doth appear.
LUST. Yet do what thou canst, I will not lie here;
No, by his wounds, you old doting knave!
[_Cast him, and let him arise again._
Thinkest thou that Lust will be made a slave?
I shall meet you in Smithfield, or else other-where,
By his flesh and blood, I will thee not forbear!
JUST. Not of my power I do thee expel,
But by the might of his spirit that dwelleth in me:
Inordinate lust with the just may not dwell,
And therefore may not I accompany thee.
LUST. Well, goodman Just, it is no matter,
But, in faith, I pretend not with thee to flatter;
Though from thy company depart I must,
I shall live as much in wealthiness, I trust.
[_Go out. He must drive him out._
JUST. Where most wealth is, and most delectation,
There Lust is commonly of most estimation;
For whereas wealth wanteth, idleness doth slake,
For where idleness is, Lust parteth the stake. [_Pause._
Thus have you seen the conflict of the just,
Which all good men ought to use and frequent;
For horrible are the fruits of inordinate lust,
Which in some case resembleth Hydra the serpent,
Whose head being cut off, another riseth incontinent:
So, one of Lust's cogitations being cut away,
There riseth up another, yea, many, we may say.
It is requisite therefore that every degree
Against this his lust both strive and contend;
And though, at the first, he seem sturdy to be,
The Lord will convince[321] him for you in the end.
Your cause unto him therefore wholly commend,
Labouring to avoid all inordinate lust,
And to practice in life to live after the Just.
[_Go out. Enter Inclination, the Vice._
INC. I can remember since Noe's ship
Was made, and builded on Salisbury Plain;
The same year the weathercock of Paul's caught the pip.
So that Bow-bell was like much woe to sustain.
I can remember, I am so old,
Since Paradise gates were watched by night;
And when that Vulcanus was made a cuckold,
Among the great gods I appeared in sight.
Nay, for all you smiling, I tell you true.
No, no, ye will not know me now;
The mighty on the earth I do subdue.
Tush, if you will give me leave, I'll tell ye how;
Now, in good faith, I care not greatly,
Although I declare my daily increase;
But then these gentlewomen will be angry,
Therefore I think best to hold my peace:
Nay, I beseech you, let the matter stay,
For I would not for twenty pounds come in their hands;
For if there should chance to be but one Dalila,
By the mass, they would bind me in Samson's bands!
But what, mean I first with them to begin,
Seeing that in all men I do remain?
Because that first I remained Eve within,
And after her Adam, and so forth to Cain.
I perceive by your looks my name ye would know;
Why, you are not ignorant of that, I dare say;
It is I that do guide the bent of your bow,
And ruleth your actions also day by day;
Forsooth, I am called Natural Inclination,
Which bred in old Adam's fostred bones;
So that I am proper to his generation,
I will not away with casting of stones!
I make the stoutest to bow and bend:
Again, when I lust, I make men stand upright;
From the lowest to the highest I do ascend,
Drawing them to things of natural might.
_Enter_ LUST _and_ STURDINESS, _singing this song_.
_Where is the knave that so did rave?
O, that we could him find,
We would him make for fear to quake,
That lout of lobbish kind.
My name is Lust, and let him trust
That I will have redress;
For thou and I will make him fly,
Mine old friend Sturdiness._
LUST. Where is now that valiant Hercules?
For all his brags, he is now run away.
STURD. (_braggingly._) By the guts of Goliah, it is best for his ease,
For he was like for the pottage to pay.
INC. Cock's soul! what bragging knaves have we here?
Come ye to convince the mightiest conqueror?
It was I, that before you now doth appear,
Which brought to confusion both Hector and Alexander:
Look on this leg, ye prating slaves,
I remember since it was no greater than a tree;
At that time I had a couple of knaves,
Much like unto you, that waited on me.
LUST. Cock's precious soul, let us conquer the knave.
STURD. By his flesh and sides, a good courage I have;
Stand you, therefore, a little aside,
And ye shall see me quickly abate the fool's pride.
[_Draw out the sword; make him put it up; and
then strike him. Look in your spectacles._
INC. Nay, I dare not, I, if thou lookest so big;
What, should such a boar fight with a pig!
Put up thy sword, man, we will agree;
So, lo! do so much as bear that for me.
STURD. Nay, by his heart then, I will you dress.
INC. Be good in thine office, gentle friend Sturdiness;
For though thou and I do seem to contend,
Yet we are, and must be, friends till the end.
STURD. Come, give me thy hand, I beshrew thy heart.
INC. Nay, you must take all things in good part;
Who standeth yonder? Captain Lust?
STURD. Yea, marry.
INC. No remedy then, to him go I must.
You have forgot, I dare say, your old friend Inclination;
But let us renew acquaintance again, for Cock's passion!
LUST. Why, man, our acquaintance hath been of old;
I am yours at commandment, therefore be bold;
For Lust can do nothing without Inclination,
Chiefly in matters concerning a pleasant vocation.
INC. Indeed Lust may be taken for a thing indifferent,
Except Inclination be joined thereunto;
But when that I once have revealed my intent,
As I will men to work, so commonly they do.
LUST. Ye have heard of the combat between me and Just?
INC. Yea, marry, I heard say that you lay in the dust.
LUST. What say ye?
INC. Neither one word nor other, ye may me trust.
LUST. Of mine honesty, my company he utterly refused,
And in wrestling with me he gave me the foil,
Saying that I had myself and other abused,
Leading men in perplexity and marvellous toil.
STURD. By Gog's wounds, if we had found him here,
We should, by his flesh, have abated his cheer.
INC. I perceive, Sturdiness, thou art no fool;
Tell me of fellowship, where wentest thou to school?
STURD. What, to read or write?
INC. Nay, to swear and fight:
For I think thou canst neither write, read, nor spell;
But in swearing and fighting thou dost excel.
STURD. Thou knowest that I am joined with Lust,
And sturdy by nature I am in like case.
What, let the world wag: all cannot be just,
Some must natural inclination embrace.
LUST. All men just? no, I remember the sentence of Tully,
That no man is just that feared death, poverty, or pain,
Which I do fear all, and that marvellously;
For fortune is variable, I do perceive plain,
And notwithstanding that Felix possessed great gain,
Yet when Paul preached of the judgment-day,
He trembled for fear, and bad him go away.
INC. Doth such passions often trouble your mind?
LUST. Nay, not often, but sometime I do them find;
But then, to the intent to drive them away,
I either go to sleep, or else to some play.
STURD. By Gog's precious heart, even so do I;
But sometime they cumber me pestilently.
INC. Well, Master Lust, such dumps to eschew,
My advice and request you must needs ensue:
That is, to become disciple to doctor Epicurus,
And then you shall have mirth by measure and overplus;
Tush, I know a couple companions in store
That were marvellous meet for you evermore;
I wish you were known, you, unto them.
LUST. Well, then, call them in.
INC. Here they come, each of them in a knave's skin.
_Enter_ ELATION _and_ GREEDY-GUT. _They sing._
_With lust to live is our delight,
In high estate and dignity;
Seeing that the Just put us to flight,
Let them alone in misery._
STURD. Nay, they be lusty lads, I tell ye.
ELA. What, Inclination! me-thought I did smell thee:
Give me thy hand, ere we further go.
INC. Now, welcome in faith, and Greedy-gut also;
But, sirs, are none of you both acquainted with Lust?
LUST. Yes, that they have been both of them, I trust;
Welcome, sirs, in faith, welcome unto me.
ELA. By my troth, I am glad your mastership to see
In health and prosperity, as presently you be.
GRE. Bom fay, zo am I wod all my heart.
INC. This cow-bellied knave doth come from the cart;
Ise teach you to speak, I hold you a pound!
Curchy, lob, curchy down to the ground.
GRE. Che can make curchy well enou'.
INC. Lower, old knave, or I'll make ye to bow
The great-bellied lout methink cannot bend
Yes, so, lo, he beginneth to amend.
LUST. Well, sirs, now I remember Æsop's advice,
Which he gave to the Samies[322] against king Croesus;[323]
Therefore it is good to be witty and wise,
And being in liberty to keep me still thus,
I cannot abide a life that is dolorous,
And seeing that my name is properly Lust,
I hate the conversation of the just.
INC. Well, Master Lust, first join you to me, Inclination.
Next here with Sturdiness you must you acquaint;
Turn you about, and embrace Elation;
And that wealth may increase without any restraint,
Join you with Greedy-gut here in our presence,
That all these in you may have prosperous influence.
[_Bow to the ground._
LUST. Out, alas! what a sudden passion is this!
I am so taken, that I cannot stand;
The cramp, the cramp, hath touched me, i-wis;
I shall die without remedy now out of hand.
GRE. By my matins cheese, our master is sick.
INC. Stand back, Nicol-noddy, with the pudding-prick,
More brains in thy skin than wit in thy brain,
Such Greedy-gut in faith would be flain!
This cramp doth signify nothing in effect;
None of all your counsels he will now reject,
And therefore fear not to make full declaration.
But how he is bowed by me Inclination.
STURD. Then fear not the force of these that be just,
But labour yourself to advance and augment;
Be jocund and lively, sith your name is Lust,
And then you shall easily obtain your intent.
ELA. Esteem yourself always equal with the best,
And seek for promotion, power, and dignity;
It is good when men may live as they lust,
And unto the just bear hate and malignity.
GRE. O zur, ye must be greedy to catch and to claw.
INC. Well said, Greedy-gut, as wise as a daw!
GRE. Eat up, at a mouthful, houses and lands.
INC. There 's a vengeable mouth to--
[_Gape, and the Vice gape._
GRE. Never fear God, nor the governor's law,
But gripe, gripe, gripe greedily all that cometh in your hands.
By the mass, but Hugh Howlet is pestilent witty,
What guttish greediness the whoreson can teach!
That thou art not erected, in faith, it is pity,
As high as three trees and a halter will reach.
LUST. Marry, sirs, but your counsels hath set me on fire!
Hey, lusty lad, how fresh am I now!
Lead me, Inclination, to have my desire,
And then at thy request I will ever bend and bow.
INC. He that bendeth to follow his own inclination,
Must needs live a wicked and vile conversation,
But so, Master Lust, I will lead you to a place,
Where you shall have pleasure enough in short space.
LUST. Yea, but shall not this company go thither?
INC. Yes, marry, we four will all go together;
But Sturdiness shall tarry to face out the matter,
If Just peradventure against you shall clatter.
STURD. By the mass, and well said, but first let us sing.
INC. I must tune my pipes first of all by drinking.
ELA. Tush, what then? I pray thee help us a part.
INC. Yes, I will sing the treble with all my heart.
_They sing._
_Lust shall be led by Inclination
To Carnal Cogitation;
Where Lust is wholly led by me,
He must fall to cupidity;
For carnal cares shall him assail,
And speedily they shall prevail;
I, Sturdiness, wilt face it out
In his cause, sturdy, stiff and stout.
Then Greedy-gut shall make him eat
Both house and lands like bread and meat;
Elation shall puff him high
For to aspire above the sky;
Then natural and lordly Lust
Shall with his power despise the Just._
ELA. Our song is ended, hast thou other in store?
INC. I shall not have done this half hour and more.
Yet I will, now I remember. Come in, Lust;
That I go before, is but needful and just.
You shall be now led by me Inclination
To reason and talk with Carnal Cogitation.
STURD. Is there more vanity underneath the sun,
Than to be inclined after this sort?
Well, Lust doth now as other have done,
Yea, and do day by day, esteeming it a sport;
This Lust is the image of all wicked men,
Which in seeking the world have all delectation;
They regard not God, nor his commandments ten,
But are wholly led by their own inclination.
First, to inculcate with Carnal Cogitation,
And after to the desire of all worldly treasure,
Which alone they esteem the fulness of pleasure.
With Elation or Pride he is also associate,
Which puffeth up his senses with presumption pestilent;
Then Greedy-gut maketh them continually to grate
On the mock of this world, which he thinketh permanent.
I, Sturdiness, to hear out all things am bent:
Thus see you how men, that are led by their lust,
Dissent from the virtuous, goodly and just.
[_Go out. Enter_ JUST _and_ SAPIENCE.
SAP. The advice of Aristippus have in your mind,
Which willed me to seek such things as be permanent,
And not such as are of a vanishing kind,
For the one with the other is not equivalent.
Be circumspect, therefore, foreseeing and sapient,
For treasures here gotten are uncertain and vain,
But treasures of the mind do continually remain.
JUST. This is the mind of Musonus, also I remember,
Like as presently you have advertised me,
For the which I cannot but thankfully render
Such commendations as is requisite to be;
And as your name is Sapience, thus much I see,
That on heavenly wisdom you do depend,
And not on as time doth bring to an end.
SAP. Truth indeed, and therefore, your name being Just,
With me and my documents must be associate;
Where, contrary, such as are led by their lust,
To incline evil are always appropriate:
They have not, as you have, battle and combat
Against the cogitations that inwardly spring,
But rather are obedient unto the same thing:
And this is the occasion that men are so ambitious
And so foolish, led by the lust of their brain:
Sometime to covet, sometime to be vicious;
Sometime the counsel of the wise to disdain;
Sometime to climb till they fall down again;
Sometime to usurp the possessions of other;
Sometime to disobey both father and mother.
JUST. Alas, what availeth it riches to enjoy,
Though as much in comparison as Croesus the king?
What helpeth it to have Helen in Troy,
If the conscience of man continually sting?
Elation and Pride no commodity doth bring,
But is often known the forerunner of shame,
And the blot of immortal memory and fame.
_Enter_ INCLINATION, _the Vice_.
INC. Now, by my halidom, it is alone a:
Better sport in my life I never saw,
It is trim, I tell you, to dance with John and Jone a,
We pass not a point for God nor his law:
But Lust is lusty, and full of porridge:
Cogitation and he in one bed doth lie.
When here is Master Just, with his cank'red courage,
What, and old doting Sapience! then I am dressed, I.
So often already Just hath me restrained,
That I dare not entice him any more,
For through Sapience he hath me clearly disdained,
That my courage is spent, and I have no more.
[_Make as going back._
SAP. Nay, soft, sir, we must talk with you, ere ye go.
INC. I cannot tarry at this time, the truth is so.
JUST. Nay, there is no remedy; with you we must talk.
INC. By the body of me, I hold best that I walk,
Or else learn to speak language another while,
And so I may happen the knaves to beguile.
JUST. Turn back, ere you go, we have somewhat to say.
INC. Non point parle françois, non, par ma foy.
SAP. To deceive us now himself he doth prepare.
INC. Ick en can ghene english spreken von waer.
Body of me, let me go, or else I shall piss:
I-wis, Master Just, you have loved me ere this;
Therefore now be ruled after my counsel,
And godly things for your commodity I shall you tell.
SAP. Let him that is just not lightly ensue
His vile inclination and carnal concupiscence,
But let him rather contend the same to subdue;
And chiefly those that have knowledge of Sapience:
Therefore to bridle this lust do your diligence,
His crafty provocations utterly to restrain,
That Just may live, while life doth remain.
INC. Goodman Hobal, speak you in earnest?
What dost thou say, shall the Just bridle me?
No, no, brother Snaps, do the worst and thy best
I will not be bridled of him nor of thee.
JUST. Seeing Sapience consisteth in heavenly document,
And that heavenly document consisteth in Sapience,
To bridle this wretch I cannot but consent,
Sith I of his purpose have had oft intelligence.
INC. Yet again [to] bridle it doth not prevail;
I will not be bridled of the best of you both.
See you this gear? here's one will make you to quail;
Stand back! to kill you, Master Just, I would be loth!
You have been so burned and fried of late,
That it were pity to hurt you any more.
Back, I say, or my dagger shall about your pate,
By the mass, but I will, sir, I'll make your bones sore.
[_Struggle two or three times._
JUST. I will bridle thee, beast, for all thy bragging.
INC. In faith, goodman Just, I'll hold ye wagging;
Nay, brother, ye shall find me a curst colt to bridle,
Nay, in faith, better yet I will make thee to struggle.
SAP. Never leave him, but ensue the counsel of Sapience.
JUST. Lo, now, I have brought him under obedience.
[_Bridle him._